October 2018

EPILEPSY Determining the etiology of neonatal seizures can be complicated in the absence of an acute insult. This prospective cohort study followed neonates diagnosed with seizures, and compared those who had been diagnosed with epileptic encephalopathy to those who had acute symptomatic seizures, and found that genetic etiology was identifiable in 59% of neonates with epilepsy. Although this study requires additional follow-up, genetic testing may be useful in determining etiology and directing therapies in neonates with epilepsy.